This large sheet of views of Antigua was drawn to be read in conjunction with another, equally impressive, nautical chart. The red lines on these views correspond to the lead lines drawn on the accompanying chart. Unfortunately the sister document is now incomplete and severely damaged, making it almost impossible to view. What we are left with is, nevertheless, a remarkable document which offers the reader an almost panoramic view of Antigua in the late eighteenth.
During the 18th century Antigua was headquarters to the British Royal Navy Caribbean fleet. At the heart of the British base was 'English Dockyard' which was a sheltered and well-protected deepwater port and harbour. The harbour was expanded and developed by the British toward the end of the 18th century under the auspices of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson who commanded the fleet at this time.
During this time the British enforced the Navigation Act, a ruling that only British-registered ships could trade with British colonies. This was, of course, problematic for all merchants wishing to trade with the newly established United States of America and only lead to privateering and other illicit trades.
